Right-wing politicians were infuriated on Thursday following a High Court of Justice ruling earlier in the day to delay demolishing the homes of several terrorists involved in attacks in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria that claimed the lives of Naama and Eitam Henkin, Malachi Rosenfeld and Danny Gonen. "We demolished a terrorist's home three days ago," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. "Now we have a policy of exacting a price from suicide attackers, because the suicide attacker is after all dead, it's reasonable to assume that he knows he will die, but we know this is one of the more effective tools. Our problem is the disconnect between the act and the result of the act. Therefore we are specifically requesting to minimize the length of time [to obtain a demolition order], and I hope the High Court will also make its ruling, whatever it is, as quickly as possible, although it is better it rules quickly rather than take its time. If they decide, and they usually decide to demolish, it's preferable to do so near the time of the [terrorist] act, within a matter of days rather than weeks or months." Immigrant Absorption Minister Zeev Elkin (Likud) urged the High Court "not to drag its feet and immediately convene new hearings over the demolishing of terrorists' homes that the court suspended today. High Court judges also need to understand that we are in a war against terrorism, and a democracy that doesn't know how to defend itself cannot win this war. Preventing the next attack by generating deterrence, in the form of razing terrorists' homes, is the order of the day, and it's inconceivable that the High Court is [obstructing] cabinet decisions." Tourism Minister Yariv Levin (Likud) said that "the High Court has once again managed to break its own record for absurdity, and with a decision that is borderline delusional. It is handcuffing the security forces and the government at the height of a terrorism wave. The time has come for High Court judges to understand that their job is to protect the Israeli public and not those who seek to murder us." Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Habayit Hayehudi) also criticized the ruling, and called on the High Court to rule on the matter swiftly. "This is a state of emergency; it's time the High Court judges understand this. When people are being murdered in the streets, the High Court cannot wave procedural guidelines around and stall the war on terror. The High Court needs to realize that any delay in the razing of a terrorist's home is a detriment to Israeli deterrence and puts lives in danger," Bennett said. In a particularly harsh response, Habayit Hayehudi MK Moti Yogev said: "Supreme Court Justice Uzi Vogelman has put himself on the side of the enemy. He defends the rights of murderers, and by doing so he prevents deterring punishment and puts lives at risk. I call on Justice Fogelman to remove his judge's uniform and join the United Arab List, as its views are reflected in his rulings. The government should, and I will try [to do so] in the Knesset, find ways to bypass Justice Vogelman's immoral and disproportionate rulings." Others, meanwhile, rushed to the High Court's defense. Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein condemned what he called "the unbridled attacks against the Supreme Court, which is fulfilling its duty and seeks to rule without fear. Labeling the judiciary an enemy of the people is a low point, and anyone who yearns for the continued existence of a democratic Israeli society must come out against it." Yesh Atid faction chairman MK Ofer Shelah said, "This is not the first time MK Moti Yogev has wantonly denigrated the Supreme Court. After he proposed bulldozing the Israeli hall of justice, he is now inciting against a Supreme Court justice and vowing, while completely misunderstanding the democratic process, to obstruct his decision." Meretz Chairman MK Zahava Gal-On said, "Ministers and MKs from the Right are lynching the Supreme Court. If a person said he wants to raze the Supreme Court with a bulldozer and hasn't been dismissed, we shouldn't be surprised when he allows himself to continue his disparaging attacks against the court." Justice Uzi Fogelman found himself in the eye of the storm Thursday, after granting nine petitions filed by the terrorists' families and neighbors, with the help of Hamoked human rights organization, against the state's intention to raze their homes. Fogelman issued the interim order suspending the move, allowing the plaintiffs more time to present their case to the court. The state has been given until Oct. 27 to file its rebuttal to the petitions. The court also granted the state's request for an urgent hearing on the matter, setting it for next Tuesday. Hamoked, and other human rights groups, often petition the High Court to prevent razing terrorists' homes. In most cases the court chooses not to intervene in the matter, allowing the military to exercise the demolition as a means of deterrence. A statement by Hamoked said, "The demolition of homes as punishment is clearly intended to hurt the relatives of those suspected of security offenses, as a means of generating deterrence among potential assailants. In practice, this measure hurts innocent people while its effectiveness is doubtful. It goes without saying that this Israeli policy is implemented against Palestinians only and not against Jewish terrorists."
